The Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday stressed that the appointment of Lt. Gen Shavendra Silva as Commander of the Sri Lanka Army is a sovereign decision by the Head of State and any external attempt to influence the decision is unwarranted and unacceptable.
The Ministry in response to concerns raised on the appointment of Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva yesterday stressed that foreign entities trying influence the decision and internal administrative processes of public service promotions in Sri Lanka is unwarranted and unacceptable.
The Ministry in a statement said that articulating a position of concern on this appointment is contrary to the principles of natural justice espoused by all responsible members of the international community. “Articulating a position of concern on this appointment by certain bilateral partners and international organizations, based on allegations, is regrettable and contrary to the principles of natural justice espoused by all responsible members of the international community,” the statement said.
The United States and Canadian governments raised concerns over the appointment of Lt. General Shavendra Silva citing that the decision would undermine the country’s international reputation and commitment to promote justice and accountability. UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet has also expressed disappointment over the appointment Lt. Gen.Shavendra Silva as the Army Commander of Sri Lanka.
Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva played a major role in the military defeat of the LTTE in 2009 and was Chief of Staff of the Army prior to his latest appointment as the Army Commander.
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